tonycliff

DD4, Pages 34-40A; "This was our 'Warm Welcome?'"

Added 2021-05-07 21:48:13 +0000 UTC

…in which a disgraced captain is rowed ashore. Young Delilah had warned him about the hidden rocks, but he didn't listen. Delilah's mother tells her, "you'll need to get used to that." Naturally, this makes Young Delilah unhappy.

The town prepares a hostile welcome, and the Mayor makes it clear in no uncertain terms that this British ship is unwelcome here.

Delilah's mother immediately chastises the Mayor. He is her brother, so she can do that sort of thing. They hug. The Mayor seems hostile toward Delilah's Father, but he's only pretending. He then greets Delilah politely, but asks her parents why she is dressed like a young boy.

The Mayor escorts the landing party into the heart of the village. For the first time in weeks, Delilah sees someone her own age. The young villagers sprint away.

As the town comes back to life, the Mayor hosts a meal for his guests. Like Delilah's ship, the island, too, has been plagued by the threat of pirates. Everyone's frightened of this mysterious menace.

When Delilah's Father refuses a glass of the local wine, it is learned that he had only ever had the island's awful wine, the wine given to outsiders so that they will not take too much of an interest in depleting the island's supply. The Mayor pours Father a glass and welcomes his family to his home.